Congress rattled with Modi's anointment as PM candidate: Venkaiah

The anointment of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as the BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate has drawn tremendous response across the country and the party would contest the elections with development as the main agenda, senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday.

"After the BJP has announced Narendra Modi as the Prime Ministerial candidate, our opponents, particularly Congress, is rattled. They are making irresponsible, at times, idiotic statements," Naidu told reporters here.

"One leader says that it will be end of democracy if Modi wins. The party which has murdered democracy is making such absurd allegations. They are afraid that they will not be able to face Narendra Modi and his development agenda," he said.

Noting that L K Advani did not oppose Modi's anointment, Naidu said the veteran leader felt that the decision could have been taken after the coming Assembly elections.

"I don't want to make any comment in the context of Advaniji. He (Advani) is our senior leader. He brought all of us here. The countrymen know about his contribution. He is the tallest political leader in India's political history as of now. He has got an impeccable character and record in public service. He has his view," the BJP leader said.

"He (Advani) did not oppose Narendra Modi as I am telling you clearly. He had raised a point and the majority of the people felt early announcement will be good. You have seen Parliamentary Board unanimously making a choice," he said.